10 Things You Need to Know About Invisalign

One of the leading procedures in creating a flawless smile is through the use of orthodontic braces. Currently, there are several options for those who want to have straight teeth through the use of braces. Still, however, the most popular are the conventional metal braces, followed by ceramic or clear braces, lingual braces (metal braces placed on the “concealed” side of the teeth), and Invisalign.

Over the years, Invisalign has become quite in demand even if, among all orthodontic braces, it is usually the most expensive. Find out why so many people, particularly older folks, are opting for it, and other important facts about Invisalign. Here are 10 of them:

1. They are the ‘invisible braces.’

The clear aligner trays are undetectable when you wear them. They fit snugly on the teeth and people do not notice them at all. Also, they are removable. Therefore, most people are easily fooled that you are not getting any work done on your teeth.

However, dentists advise only removing these invisible braces for cleaning and when you need to eat.

2. Using Invisalign is a precise treatment plan.

You get to see the final results even if you have not yet completed the Invisalign treatment. What typically happens is before you are provided with your full set of clear aligner trays, your orthodontist will take X-rays, pictures and impressions to produce accurate 3D images of your chompers.

Those 3D images will show you how your teeth will move during the course of the treatment, including the final result. Additionally, these images determine a reliable estimated duration of the treatment.

Since the material used for these braces is absolutely safe, there is no need to worry about any risks or side effects. They are also set comfortably to ensure a good fit.

4. The aligner trays need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours.

It is best to keep your Invisalign on throughout the day and night, only removing them for meals and cleaning. This way, the projected result will be achieved, and it is usually quite impressive.

5. Lisping is one of the side effects of wearing Invisalign.

You may experience a bit of speech difficulty during the early stages of wearing Invisalign. However, you will get used to it over time. Eventually, the aligners will feel like a part of your mouth and you will have no trouble enunciating words and tricky letters even if you are wearing a new set.

6. Invisalign is more ideal for mature people.

A full commitment to oral hygiene is a must for people who want to use Invisalign. Typically, it is older folks who actually get to stick better to an oral care routine. They are more meticulous with brushing and flossing. Plus, they stay on top of regular thorough teeth cleaning or oral prophylaxis.

This is not to say that younger patients should not use Invisalign; however, they should stay on top of daily, regular oral care.

7. Not everyone with teeth alignment issues can use Invisalign.

There is no doubt that Invisalign is an effective dental treatment, but there are conditions wherein it may not be the best option. For instance, certain complex teeth alignment issues may be treated faster using traditional metal braces. Not only that, using traditional braces may be the more economical solution, too, especially if the patient has a smaller budget.

Orthodontists also point out that they also factor in on their patients’ comfort. Most of the time, those with back tooth bite problems find it incredibly uncomfortable to wear aligners for a long time. Thus, they are better off with other types of braces.

8. The aligner trays change every two weeks.

Going through aligner trays is often quick, especially if you put in the necessary number of hours of wear. Needless to say, if you do not keep your Invisalign on for at least 20 hours a day, you may need to wear the same set for much longer than the usual two-week duration.

9. Toothpaste is a no-no when cleaning Invisalign trays.

Stick to the cleaning system it comes with and always use lukewarm water. You may want the minty goodness of toothpaste for the trays but toothpaste has abrasive components that can actually result in discoloration and odor.

10. Extension with Invisalign treatments is rare.

The Invisalign treatment plan is often accurate. The only times wherein extensions may be required are when certain complications occur during the treatment or when patients want their teeth to look a different way.

So there you go, 10 facts about Invisalign to provide you with a better understanding of how it works if you are considering getting it to fix your teeth alignment problem. But if you still feel the need to verify the suitability of Invisalign for your dental situation straight from the experts, be sure to get in touch with us here at JJ Dental.